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Uganda Travel Information
Uganda is a beautiful country with an impressive
people. This is one of my favourite countries in all of Africa.
The people of Uganda have survived the troubles of 1967-86 period
and emerged standing upright and wearing a smile. In that short
period, the country suffered under the caprice of two despicable
despots. One was the indisputably insane Idi Amin and the other,
the arguably insane Milton Obote.
Travelers to Uganda are drawn by its stunning landscape
- green rolling hills, snowcapped mountains, rainforests, majestic
rivers and massive lakes. There are also a number of outstanding
national parks for your safari encounter with the wildlife for which
Africa is renowned.
Though not as famous for safari as neighboring Kenya
and Tanzania, Uganda still has some pretty good game sanctuaries.
The 3,840 sq. km Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and
most spectacular of them. Aside from game, this park is renowned
for its scenic beauty. Rolling savannah, tall grasslands and thick
bush woodlands make the park. But you are advised not to miss out
the magnificent waterfalls after which the park is named. The waterfall
is formed where the Nile tapers from 50 metres to rush through a
7 metre gorge, falling 45 metres in a breath taking leap. This phenomena
is said to be the most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on
Earth.
Below is some basic travel info for Uganda
Health
Visitors over 1 year of age from yellow fever infected areas require
yellow fever international certificate of vaccination. Exemptions
are made for visitors arriving from non-endemic areas such as Europe,
North America, Australia and New Zealand. Visitors from non-endemic
areas, if traveling outside urban areas are encouraged to obtain
a vaccination. Cholera is a serious health risk in this country
and precautions are called for. Typhoid is also widespread and immunization
is advisable.
Malaria
is widespread throughout the country including urban centers such
as Kampala, Fort Portal, Jinja, Mbale and the Kigezi area. Visitors
are strongly advised to take anti-malaria medication commencing
two weeks before travel. Note that resistance to chloroquine has
been reported. Bilharzia is a risk and you are advised not to swim
or paddle in fresh water lakes and rivers. Swimming pools in good
hotels and clubs are usually well chlorinated and maintained and
are safe. Tuberculosis and hepatitis (A, B & E) are present
in Uganda.
HIV-AIDS
is prevalent in the country and needless to say prudent measures
are necessary. Good hospitals, health facilities and chemists are
only to be found in the main towns. Medical facilities for advanced
treatment including surgery are scarce even in Kampala.
Visas
Passports valid for 3 months from date of entry are required of
all visitors. All visitors require a visa except for citizens of
some Caribbean and African countries. There are also exceptions
for citizens of Cyprus, Fiji, Malta, Singapore, Solomon Islands,
Tonga, Vanuatu and a few other countries.
Some
visas may be issued on entry into the country. It is however advisable
to obtain visa's in advance from Ugandan Embassies and High Commissions
as some airlines may require it before allowing you to board. Entry
may be refused to travelers with no proof of sufficient funds and
return or onward tickets. Visa requirements vary from time to time
and you are advised to check on prevailing status well ahead of
travel.
Peoples
& Culture
Uganda's people are complex and diverse. Bantu speakers, widespread
in east, central and southern Africa, include the Baganda and a
few other tribes. In the north, the Acholi and Lango are Nilotic
speakers and have much in common with natives of southern Sudan.
The Teso and Karamojong found in the east are related to the Maasai
found in Kenya and Tanzania. In the west, the Ankole and Toro are
culturally close to the natives of Rwanda. The famous Pygmies are
found in the forests of the west.
As
a nation, Uganda is an amalgamation of ancient kingdoms and independent
chieftains. Among the indigenous kingdoms are the Baganda, Bunyoro,
Toro, Ankole and Busoga. The Kingdoms were suppressed in the times
of the troubles that razed the country in the two decades after
1967. Today they have been restored with their ancient privileges
shorn and play only a ceremonial role in the life of the nation.
The Baganda king, the Kabaka, whose domicile is Kampala has historically
been the most prominent. His lineage stretches back to the 14th
century.
Swahili,
the language originating from the east African coast is widely spoken
though not as well as in Kenya or Tanzania. Luganda, the language
of the Kabaka, is also widely spoken. English is is understood by
good numbers though only in urban areas. For the most part, local
cuisine consists of matoke (a staple based on green bananas), millet
bread, cassava, sweet potatoes, chicken, goat and beef stews and
freshwater fish. Ugali, the maize meal based filler popular in east
Africa is used as an accompaniment for meat or vegetable dishes.
You will easily a decent locally brewed beer. Popular brands include
Bell, Club and Nile Special. The national drink is however a banana
gin known as waragi. This is a giant killer and if you imbibe it
in immoderate quantities, you will sooner come to grief.
Communications
Telephone, fax, telegram, post and Internet services are available
in urban centers. International direct dialing to many countries
is available in the principal towns. In rural areas telephony services
are unreliable. The country code for Uganda is 256.
Mobile
phones are based on GSM 900/1800 network. Coverage extends to the
principal towns. You can obtain a GSM card that will allow you to
make international calls to any country. The main network operators
are: Uganda Telecom (www.utl.co.ug), Celtel (www.msi-cellular.com)
and MTN Uganda (www.mtn.co.ug). You will find Internet cafes in
Kampala and some of the main towns.
Accommodation
There is international standard accommodation in Entebbe, Jinja
and Kampala. The quality is variable in the smaller towns and rated
accommodation is scarce. All of the major national parks offer accommodation
in game lodges and tented camps. See our Uganda
hotels page to view info and book accommodation for your
say in Uganda.
Money
The local currency is the Uganda Shilling (Ush). The import and
export of local currency is not allowed. There are no restrictions
on the import of foreign currency provided it is declared on arrival.
On departure, export of foreign currency is restricted to the amount
declared on entry. Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express
are widely accepted at bigger hotels, restaurants, travel agencies
and shops
Travelers
cheques can be cashed at major hotels, banks and forex bureaus.
You will do best when your travelers cheques are denominated in
US Dollars or Sterling Pounds. Foreign currency can be exchanged
at the Central Bank, commercial banks and forex bureaux. Generally
you will get better exchange rates at forex bureaus. Changing money
in the streets is a bad idea. Street traders sometimes deal in funny
money.
Climate
Uganda enjoys a tropical climate tempered by altitude. The country
is generally flat though the average altitude is about 1000m. Due
to the rather high altitude, temperatures range between 21 to 25°C.
The mountain areas of Mount Elgon and the Rwenzori mountains are
even cooler and the top of both mountains experiences some snow.
The hottest period of the year is from December to February when
temperature rise 29 degrees Celsius. The country experiences two
rainy seasons: April to May and October to November, with April
being the wettest month. The north however has a wet season lasting
from April to October. The best times to visit are December-March
and June-September.
International
Travel
Uganda's only international airport is at Entebbe, 35 km from the
capital Kampala. Outside Uganda, the airport gained fame as the
place where Israeli commandos rescued passengers on a hijacked plane,
back in the days of the infamous Idi Amin. The dramatic rescue captured
the imagination of the world and is the subject of a few films.
There are few direct flights to Entebbe from outside Africa and
most travelers from Europe, Asia and North America will arrive via
Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. Daily connections are available from
Nairobi. Airlines landing at Entebbe include British Airways, Egypt
Air, Emirates, South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines,
SN Brussels, Air Rwanda, and Air Tanzania.
To
save on cost, some travelers disembark at Nairobi and take the overnight
bus to Kampala. There are two overland crossing points from Kenya:
Busia and Malaba. From Mwanza in Tanzania, you can get to Kampala
by ferry. You can also enter the country from Tanzania through the
Kagera salient between Bukoba and Masaka. Overland travel through
Rwanda, Sudan and Zaire is uncertain due to security considerations.
Make sure to check the latest situation with the security authorities
before committing to travel.
Local
Travel
Local flights depart from Entebbe to the principal towns. Charter
flights are also available. There is an extensive service of minibuses
connecting most parts of the country from Kampala. Bus service is
rather unreliable except for the scheduled service between Entebbe
and Kampala.
Driving
in Uganda is on the left, a legacy of British rule. Rental cars
are available at Entebbe and Kampala. You need to show an international
drivers license to hire a vehicle. Roads radiate from Kampala and
are of varying quality. In the north of the country the security
situation is still doubtful and so are the roads. It is a good idea
if you are on self-drive to get local advice about the condition
of the roads you intend to use. Review our Uganda
cars rental web page and do your booking here.
Travel
Insurance
Health and the usual travel insurance are recommended. Check that
your travel insurance Includes emergency evacuation.
What
to Wear
Light clothing is generally adequate in Uganda. But you need warmer
wraps and sweaters for the evenings and early mornings. You are
also advised to carry some rainwear, just in case. Usually dressing
is informal. For both men and women, cotton slacks and flat-heeled
comfortable
walking shoes are recommended on safari. It is a good idea to bring
along a hat and a decent pair of sunglasses for sun protection.
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